Process equipment optimisation using CFD and surrogate models

Abstract

CFD modelling offers powerful simulation capability, but only provides information for a given design and set of process conditions. While it allows comparison between different outcomes, CFD results alone do not provide an optimised outcome. In many design problems, thousands of function evaluations may be required to undertake an optimisation study. As a result, CFD models are often impractical for design optimisation. In contrast, surrogate models are compact and cheap to evaluate and can, therefore, be easily used for such tasks. This paper applies surrogate modelling techniques to a CFD model of sediment transport in a raked industrial thickener. The surrogate is used to demonstrate single and multi–objective optimisation for the case study. For multi–objective problems, use from a practical design perspective is illustrated through four examples, in which the best design solution or operational response is sought to different process scenarios.